The University of Idaho football program has named four team captains as the Vandals prepare to open their 2026 season Friday night against Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California.
Head coach Thomas Ford Jr. made the announcement ahead of the Week 0 matchup, which will be broadcast on ESPN’s national platform. The game marks the beginning of what the program hopes will be a competitive campaign in the FBS ranks.
The four captains will serve as leaders on the field and in the locker room as Idaho faces an opening test against the Mustangs. The selection reflects Ford’s confidence in these players to guide the Vandals through the season.
The matchup in San Luis Obispo kicks off a nonconference schedule designed to prepare Idaho for conference play. The Vandals have emphasized daily improvement over season goals in their preparation, focusing on execution and fundamentals as they settle into the new coaching regime.
Idaho’s basketball program has also set its 12-game nonconference slate for the 2026-27 season, signaling a busy offseason across multiple sports for the university.
Kickoff against Cal Poly is scheduled for Friday evening, with live coverage available on ESPN.